Good Soldiers Described and Animated, Sermon
AN Artillery-Election SERMON.
I. CHRON. XII. 33.
Of Zebulun, ſuch as went forth to Battel, expert in War, with all Inſtruments of War, fifty thouſand, which could keep Rank: they were not of double Heart.
THE Relations in which the All-wiſe GOD, the Supreme and Abſolute Monarch of the Univerſe, is pleaſed in His Adorable Sovereignty to place the Children of Men to this ſtate of Probation. And the Powers, He ſees meet to furniſh them with, for the Service of their Generation in their reſpective Poſts, are very many and various: yet all of them are Eſſential, or atleaſt Uſeful and Needful to the Well-Being of the Body Politick; Inſomuch, that the Mechanick can't ſay to the Civil Magiſtrate, I have no need of thy Conduct and Protection: nor can the Civil Magiſtrate ſay to the Labouring Tribes of Zebulon and Iſſachar, I have no need of your Obedience, and the Fruits of your Painful Induſtry; ſeeing even Crowned Heads themſelves do (under God) depend continually on them for their Eſtabliſhment, Preſervation, and Supplies.
AND as it is GOD, the Fountain of Honour, who in His uncontroulable and myſterious Providence maketh Men to differ; ſetting up one, and pulling down another; and diſtributing Gifts to them, as to kind and degree, according to His Holy Will: So He requires and expects, that every Man ſhould abide in his Calling, and ſeek to excel in his own Sphaere, in the Improvement of all his Endowments and Enjoyments for the Honour of GOD, his Bountiful Benefactor, and the Intereſt of his Prince and Country.
INDEED Men may ſeek to Excel, and may really do ſo, in ſome reſpects; and yet how much ſo-ever They may value themſelves on the ſcore of their Foreign Excellencies, They deſerve little Commendation, becauſe they don't ſeek to Excel in their proper Buſineſs: or becauſe they have no higher view, than their own Credit or Secular Intereſt, in ſuch their ſeeking to Excel.
THUS, for a Clergy-man to be an Ingenious Mechanick, or a conſiderable States-man, but a Mean Divine, a poor Clerk; or to ſeek to Excel, becauſe he loves to have the Pre-eminence: or for an Advocate to be able to play ſkilfully on a Muſical Inſtrument, while he is a Weak Diſputant, and a Dull Orator; or to ſeek to Excel in the Art of Pleading, merely to draw the more Clients, and fill his own Coffers: In a Word, for a Profeſſor of the Art of War, to be a Great Aſtronomer, but unacquainted with the Myſteries of his own Profeſſion; to be Timorous, or Falſe-hearted; or to ſeek to Excel in this Art, merely to gratify an Ambitious Humour,—How Diſhonourable and Unbecoming is This!
WHEREAS for Thoſe, that are ſet at the Upper End of the World, and hold the Reins of Government, to ſeek, that they may Excel in the Secret Myſteries of State-Policy, and in all their Publick Adminiſtrations, of Civil Power, to the Happineſs, and (as far as may be) to the Satisfaction of the Common-Wealth: And for ſuch, as Wait at God's Altar, to ſeek, that they may Excel (according to their Advantages) in Miniſterial Gifts, and in Grace, to the Edifying of the Church, the Salvation of their own Souls, and the Souls of thoſe that hear them: For thoſe that are Employ'd in Educating of Youth, to ſeek, that they may Excel in Learning, and in the Art of Teaching, to the Softning the Manners, and Greatning the Minds of Youth, and Forming them for Publick Service; ſtill Training them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord: And for all Men of Buſineſs, and all Sorts of Relatives to ſeek, that they may Excel in their various Capacities and Stations for the Publick Good: Briefly, for ſuch, as are called to Learn, and as occaſion ſerves, to Practiſe the Art Military, to ſeek, that they may Excel in all Martial Accompliſhments and Atchievments, for the Security and Preſervation of the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the People of GOD; This is Good and Acceptable in the ſight of GOD our Saviour.
AGREEABLY in the Sacred Oracles we find Good Soldiers, ſtill mentioned with Honour: And particularly in our Text, the Soldiers belonging to the Tribe of Zebulun are commended, as being Men that Excel'd in Martial Qualifications.
IN this Chapter before us we've an Account of Two Muſters of the Militia of Iſrael.
THE Firſt, which was partly at Ziklag, and more fully at Hebron, was very conſiderable: for we're told, ver. 22. that there came to David to help him, until it was a Great Hoſt, like the Hoſt of God: i. e. innumerable, like the Stars or Angels, which are emirently GOD's Hoſts.
THE Second was a General Muſter at Hebron. Agreeably we read, Chap. II. 1. All Iſrael gathered themſelves to David unto Hebron—.
Now, Here let usobſerve the Great and Noble Deſign, the Glorious Occaſion, and Joyful Iſſue of theſe Muſters.
THE Deſign of the Former Muſter was to make David, King over Judah; which they effected to very good Purpoſe, and great Satisfaction, and Advantage: and David reigned over that Tribe only Seven Years; during which, there was a long War between the houſe of Saul and the houſe of David: But David waxed ſtronger and ſtronger, and the houſe of Saul waxed weaker and weaker, 2 Sam. 3. 1. David roſe gradually; being firſt Anointed King in Reverſion; then in Poſſeſſion of One Tribe only, and at laſt of All the Tribes. And thus (ſays the Pious and Excellent HENRY) "The Kingdom of the Meſſiah, the Son of David, is ſet up by Degrees: He is Lord of all by Divine Deſignation, but we ſee not yet all things put under Him, Heb. 2. 8. But, Lord, How Long!
THE Occaſion of the Latter Muſter was, to perfect the Tranſlation of the Kingdom of Iſrael from the Houſe of Saul, after, the Death of Iſhboſheth, to the Illuſtrious Houſe of David; or to make David King over All Iſrael, ver. 38.
Now the Service, thus done by the Iſraelitiſh Regiments for their Prince and Country: occaſioned Joy in Iſrael and many Thankſgivings to God: which, with their Military Skill, Obſequiouſneſs, Courage, Loyalty and Faithfulneſs, is recorded to their Everlaſting Praiſe, and for the Perpetual Inſtruction, Imitation, and Encouragement of that Order of Men: And alſo to teach the People of GOD, what Regards are to be paid to Men of their Character.
IN our Text we are informed, 1. Of the Quota of the Tribe of Zebulun, in this General Muſter; They were Fifty Thouſand. 2. We have their Character, conſiſting of Divers Articles; which we may particularly Conſider and Explain, in ſpeaking to this Obſervation from the Words, as related to the Context: Scil,
THAT Good Soldiers are an Uſeful, and Honourable Order of Men, and a Great Bleſſing to their Prince, and Country.
SUCH Soldiers, as are deſcribed in our Text, are no little part of the Beauty and Strength of God's Iſrael. They're an Honour to their Prince and Country, and deſerve well of both.
IN Diſcourſing this Point, I ſhall, Firſt, conſider the Duty and Character of Soldiers, ſo far as it is laid before us in our Text. Secondly, Endeavour to confirm the Truth of our Doctrine. Thirdly, Make ſome Practical Reflections: and Conclude with a Brief Addreſs to the Gentlemen, that have call'd me to this Service.
Firſt. WE are to conſider the Duty and Character of Soldiers, as Exhibited to us in the Text: or What ſort of Soldiers theſe Zebulinites were.
And here,
1. THEY were (what it is proper all, that profeſs themſelves Soldiers, ſhould be) Expert in War. Inſtructi ad Bellum. They were not Raw and Unacquainted with the very Rudiments of Soldiery: but were well Diſciplin'd, and like Abraham's Servants, Trained up in the Art of War.
THE Field-Officers, and all under Authority amongſt them, were Men of Good Conduct; knew the Buſineſs of their reſpective Poſts, how to behave themſelves, and how to govern in an Army, both in the Camp and in the Field of Battel, according to the Uſage of thoſe Ancient Times. To allude to what is ſaid of the Men of Iſſachar, They had Underſtanding, in Military Affairs, to know what Iſrael ought to do. They were no Strangers to Martial Law, and knew well When, and How to put it in Execution.
THE Private Soldiers were Skilful, and Dextrous in Handling their Arms, and Obeying the Directions of their Commanders; ſo as to Defend themſelves, and Deſtroy their Enemies. It was the Commendation of thoſe, that came to David at Z…klag, Ver. 2. that they could uſe both the Right Hand and the Left, in …ing Stones, and shooting Arrows cut of a Bow: And of the G…dites, ver. 8. that they could handle Shield and Buckler: And of the Choſen Men of Benjamin, Jud. 20. 16, that they could every one ſling Stones at an hairbreadth, and not miſs: i. e. with great Exactneſs. Now it's Evident both from Reaſon and Scripture, that all, that are called to be Soldiers, are obliged, as far as poſſible, to imitate theſe Examples in Military Skill, and Expertneſs in War.
2. THEY were (what it's very deſirable all Soldiers ſhould be) Men that could keep Rank. …. They deſerved order, which is the Beauty and Strength of an Army. The Officers could do their part, and the private Soldiers their's; that their Ranks might not be broken by the Enemy; or that the Army might Rally again immediately, and repair any Breach that might happen, and ſtill make g… their Front, and maintain their Ground, and prevent Diſorder and Confuſion in the Army, which often proves fatal in a Battle. Now this denotes and requires not only Skill, but … and Strength and … of …. They were Men of Strong Bodies, able to endure Hardneſs, and perform great Exploits; Effective Men. They were alſo Men of Great Souls, that would die a Thouſand Deaths, rather than play the Coward, and baſely fly from their Colours, or deſert their Poſts: Men, that were not afraid to look their Enemy in the face; nor were they terrifyed with the Thunder of their Captains, or of their Shouting. Men, whoſe Hearts were inflam'd with a true Martial Fire, that many waters could not quench, nor the floods drown: Men, not diſmay'd, but animated by Difficulty, and reſolved on all proper occaſions with that brave General, Joab, 2 Sam. 10. 12. To play the men for their People, and the Cities of their God; leaving the Event to Him, whoſe is the Victory.
EVEN thus, Men, fit for Battel, are Men of Might, ver. 8. who have faces like the faces of Lions, and are as ſwift as Roes upon the Mountains, not to flic from, but to purſue their Enemy. It's deſirable, they ſhould, with David, be girded with Strength, that even the bow of Steel may be broken by their arms, Pſal. 18. 34. Then tho' (the Race is not to the ſwift, nor the Battel to the ſtrong, yet) Humanely ſpeaking, it may be hop'd, that from the blood of the ſlain, and from the fat of the mighty, their Bow will not turn back, nor their Sword return empty.
3. THEY were (what it's highly reaſonable and needful all Soldiers ſhould be) Men, that were not of Double Heart. Abſque Corde & Corde. They were True Men; Men of Integrity. Double-heartedneſs is oppos'd to Faithfulneſs. Pſal. 12. init. Help Lord for the Faithful fail—with a double Heart do they ſpeak: q. d. They pretend a kind & upright Heart, while their heart is really cruel and deceitful. They have divers Setts of Tho'ts, and ſpeak according to the Company they're with. Such double-minded Men, don't make good Soldiers; there's no truſting of them, no depending on ſuch Unſtable Souls.
THE Men of Zebulun were not ſo: they were not govern'd by private, ſiniſter Views, like furious Jehu, pretending Zeal for the Lord of Hoſts, Zeal for the Church, the Church; whilſt his main deſign was to aggrandiſe Himſelf and Family. No, they abhor'd every thing ſo mean and little, and had ſtill the great Intereſts of their King and People very much at Heart.
[THEY were not of Double Heart,] This may intend, that they were faithful to one another. The Officers were faithful to each other; not ſtriving to break one another from Envy, Revenge or for filthy Lucre: And they were faithful to the Soldiers under them, not impoſing on them unneceſſary Burdens, nor betraying them to their Enemies (as Joab did Uriah,) not robbing them of, or detaining from 'em their Wages, or invading their Privileges; but carefully inſtructing them, by Precept and Example, in the Art of War: improving all their ſkill and intereſt for their ſafety and happineſs, and to render them ſerviceable.
THE Private Soldiers (we'll hope) were alſo faithful to their Commanders, and one to another. They chearfully obſerv'd the Laws of the Camp: were at their Officer's Commandment, vers. 32. And every one minded His own Buſineſs.
THUS it's needful that All military Men, whether Officers or private Soldiers, ſhould be faithful to one another. That they ſhould be of one heart, in promoting the great Ends of their Calling, (as the Iſraelites were of one heart, to make David King, ver. 38.) that they ſhould ſtand by one another, and endeavour to Preſerve, Aſſiſt and Encourage one another. If Soldiers are not faithful to one another, if their heart be divided one from another, they'll ſoon be found faulty: they may eaſily miſchief, yea deſtroy one another, and it's well, if they don't do ſo.
AGAIN, The Zebulunites were not of double Heart, but loyal and faithful to their King, and Country. They all (at leaſt by their Repreſentatives) readily took the Oath of Allegiance at the King's Coronation. 2 Sam. 5. 3. And in taking of it, they ſware in Truth, in Judgment, and in Righteouſneſs; without any mental Reſervation; for they came with perfect heart to Hebron, to make David King, ver. 38: And there David made a League with them. Conſidered collectively, they were not of double heart, i. e., They were not ſome for David, and others ſecretly againſt him. And conſidered diſtributively, they were not of double heart: i. e. They did none of them pretend to be David's Friends, while in their hearts they favour'd the Family of Saul. In ſhort, None of them (ſays the ingenious Mr. HENRY in Loc.) had any ſeperate Intereſts, but were all for the Publick Good.
EVEN ſo, All Soldiers ſhould be loyal to their rightful Sovereign, and faithful to their Country. Diſloyalty and Rebellion in Soldiers, eſpecially in Officers, is an horrid Crime, and of wretched Conſequence.
INDEED, we don't exhort to Paſſive Obedience and Non-Reſiſtance in the utmoſt Latitude, in which thoſe Doctrines have been preach'd up by ſome, who (as the Phariſees and Lawyers did of old,) bind heavy Burdens on Men's ſhoulders, while they Themſelves will not touch them with one of their fingers. For (as an Excellent Divine of the Church of England obſerves) We ought not to preſs on others, what in like circumſtances we ourſelves are unwilling to perform.Mr. Burket. But we've ſufficient Warrant to put all our Hearers (and conſequently Soldiers) in mind, To ſubmit to the King, as Supreme; and to Governours, as unto them that are ſent, 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. To exhort every Soul, to be ſubject to the Higher Powers, Rom. 13. 1. Not to ſpeak evil of Dignities. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Jude. 8. And eſpecially, not to ſpeak evil of the Ruler of their People, Act. 23. 5. but to fear God and honour the King, 1 Pet. 2. 17.
Now when Soldiers are thus loyal, as David was to Saul, while his Subject; and as David's Soldiers were to Him; that can ſay heartily to their Prince, as Amaſai of old, ver. 18. Thine are we David, and on thy ſide, Thou ſon of Jeſſe: The very Hearts of pious Princes and Rulers will be knit to ſuch a Militia, as David's was to thoſe, that came to Him at Ziklag, ver. 17.
ONCE more, May'nt we ſuppoſe, they were not of double heart, but faithful toward God? Some of them doubtleſs, and we hope many among fifty thouſand, were Iſraelites indeed, not only toward their Prince, but toward their God. However, we are ſure that all Soldiers ſhould be ſo. All Men ſhould ſerve God with Uprightneſs and with Singleneſs of heart. Their heart ſhould be right with God, or they ſhould be truly Religious. Soldiery is not inconſiſtent with the moſt eminent Vertue, the moſt ſhining Sanctity, the moſt elevated Piety.
I ſuppoſe, the Sun never ſhone on Three braver Warriers, than Abraham, Joſhua and David: And yet who more Renowned for the Power of Godlineſs, than thoſe Worthies? Cornelius, a Roman Captain, was a devout Man, and one that feared God with all his houſe. And he had a devout Soldier that waited on him continually, Act. 10. 2. 7.
THO' Men, in ſome ſenſe, may be ſaid to be G…od Soldiers, that are none of the Beſt Chriſtians; yet the Better Men are, (Coeteris Paribus,) the better Soldiers they make. And verily ſuch only are truly Religious, who are Sincere, and in whoſe Spirits there is no allowed Guile. And ſuch Soldiers may expect to have God on their ſide, (when call'd forth to Service) to cover their Heads, and fight their Battels, to help them to do valiantly, and to tread down their Enemies. And ſuch Only may expect to have the Lord of Hoſts with them and for them: and to have occaſion to call upon one another, ſaying, Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriouſly!
So then, Soldiers ſhould be Good Men, and True: Faithful to one another, Loyal to their Prince, and Devout toward God. And truly ſuch, as are not Upright toward God, it's to be fear'd, won't long be Loyal to their Prince. Neither do they deſerve, nor can they expect, their Prince ſhould be faithful to them: For ſuch, as we are toward God, we may expect others will be toward us. Pſal. 18. 25, 26. David was an upright Man, a Man after God's own heart; and God bleſs'd Him with ſubjects, that were loyal and not of double Heart. But it's time to ſay,
4. THESE Zebulunites were (and it's neceſſary all Soldiers, eſpecially when call'd to Service, ſhould be,) Well Arm'd. They appeared on this Occaſion with all Inſtruments of War, (i. e. that were then in uſe and proper for that Service) to ſuppreſs any Inſurrection; and to put down and ſubdue ſuch as might preſume to oppoſe the King's Coronation; to keep the publick Peace, and grace the Solemnity.
SOLDIERS without Weapons are but naked Men. Counſel and Strength for War won't do well without Weapons of War. Indeed Wiſdom is better without Weapons of War, than Weapons of War without Wiſdom. Eccl. 9. 18. But alas! tho' Men are as ſkilful as Abraham, as valiant as Joſhua, and as loyal and devout as David, (who was a None-ſuch for Faithfulneſs, 1 Sam. 22. 14.) yet unarm'd, they are unfit for Service, a meer and an eaſy Prey to their Enemies in ordinary Caſes!
IT was great Policy in the Philiſtines of old, to ſuffer no Smith to dwell in the Land of Iſrael, (while they had Dominion over them) leſt the Hebrews ſhould make them Swords or Spears, 1 Sam. 13. 19. And it was no leſs Prudence in Abraham, not only to Train his three hundred and eighteen Men; but to have Arms ready to fit them for an Expedition on the leaſt imaginable Warning. And ſad was the Caſe of Iſrael, when in the day of Battel there was neither Sword nor Spear found in the Hand of any of the People.—1 Sam, 1…. 20.
SOLDIERS ſhould then he Armed. But this is not all: They ſhould have Armour ſuitable for them; Such as they are uſed to, and are capable of managing: otherwiſe their Condition will be like David's when going to encounter the great Goliah, in Saul's Armour: which becauſe He had not prov'd, He wi…ely begg'd to be excus'd from wearing it. Briefly, They ſhould have Armour, if it may be, adapted to the Circumſtances of the Enemy, they're to fight with. Mr. HENRY obſerves on that Parentheſis in David's Elegy [Alſo he had them teach the children of Judah the uſe of the Bow.]—That the Children of Judah knew before now how to uſe the Bow.—But of late they had made more uſe of Slings, becauſe cheaper. Now David would have them ſee the Inconvenience of this, (for they were the Archers of the Philiſtines, that here ſo hard upon Saul, 1 Sam. 31. 3. who could do Execution at a greater diſtance with their Bows, than Judah could with their Slingſ) and to return to the uſe of the Bow, and ſo be able to out do theeir Enemies at their own Weapons. 'Twas pity (ſays he) but thoſe, that had ſuch good Heads, and Hearts, and Hands, as the Children of Judah: 'Tis pity indeed, but that ſkilful, couragious, loyal, and devour Soldiers ſhould be well Arm'd.
I'll only add,
5. THESE Zebulunites were (and all Soldiers ſhould be) Men ready, when call'd thereto, to go forth to Battel: Or to improve their military Abilities for the Service of the Publick. They came up willingly to Hebron in Arms, to attend whatever Service there was for them to do There. And no doubt they were as ready afterward to ſerve David in his Wars, or to go out to Battel againſt the common Enemies of Iſrael. Thus in the days of Earak the Zebulunites were among thoſe, that are commended in the triumphant Song of Deborah, the Iſraelitiſh Virago, for offering themſelves willingly, and jeoparding their Lives unto the Death in the high Places of the Field, Jud. 5. 18.
ON ſome extraordinary Occaſions Thoſe, that are not bred to War, may be call'd forth to Battel: Thus that Heroine, Deborah, took notice, that out of Zebulun came thoſe to fight againſt Siſera, that handle the Pen of the Writer: Then according to Sir Richard Blackmore's Paraphraſe,
The Scribes of Zebulun, and Learned Men,
To weild the Sword, laid down the Pen,
How much more ſhould thoſe, that are furniſh'd with military ſkill and courage, chearfully improve theſe Talents, when Providence gives them occaſion; and fight for their Brethren, their Sons, and their Daughters, their Wives, and their Houſes? Neh. 4.14.
INDEED, Soldiers are not always (it may be but ſeldom) call'd to liſt as Voluntiers in military Service; becauſe it is reaſonable, there ſhould be an Equality: But when Soldiers are call'd forth by thoſe in Authority, they ſhould willingly engage in whatever Service, they're call'd to; and not chuſe with the Reubenites to continue in the Sheepfolds, to bear the Bleatings of the Flocks; rather than venture into the Camp, to be regal'd with the martial ſound of the Drum and Trumpet: leſt they expoſe themſelves to the bitter Curſe, denounced of old againſt ſuch, as came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord againſt the Mighty.
BUT thus I've conſidered the ſeveral. Articles, in the Character of theſe Zebulunitiſh Soldiers, with what brevity I could: and proceed now to the Second general Head of our Diſcourſe, which (that I may'nt be guilty of Tediouſneſs) I ſhall but touch upon.
LET us then conſider,
Secondly, THE Evidence of this Truth; That the deſcribed Soldiers, or ſuch as anſwer this Character, are an uſeful and honourable Order of Men, and conſequently a Bleſſing to the Publick. Here,
1. WE may argue the Truth of our Obſervation, from the honourable mention, made expreſly or by way of alluſion, of this Order of Men and of their office and work in the Sacred Oracles. Here we find the Lord Himſelf in the Song of Moſes, (Exod. 15. 3.) ſtiled a Man of War. Here alſo we find our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is Co-eſſential & Co-equal with the Father, termed a Leader and Commander to the People; (Iſai. 55. 4.) And Captain of the Lord's Hoſt, (Joſh. 5. 14.) for it was doubtleſs He, that appear'd to Joſhua at Jericho with a Sword drawn in his Hand.
IN a Word, Many of thoſe, of whom the Apoſtle (in the Eleventh to the Heb.) tells us, the World was not worthy, were famous Warriours. And theſe Scripture-Heroe's are celebrated, amongſt other things, for this particularly, (to the Immortal Honour of good Soldiers, who are alſo good Men,) That thro' faith they ſubdued Kingdoms; ſtopped the mouths of Lions; and waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the Aliens.
2. WE may further argue the Truth of our Doctrine, from the Judgment of the Wiſeſt and Beſt of Men; and from the Experience of the People of God in all Ages. If we conſider the days of old, and read what is reported concerning Abraham, the Father of the Faithful, His arming his trained Soldiers, that were born in his houſe, and conſequently had their military Education under him; and the uſe He made of them: And if we conſider, what is ſtoried of David, (who is Himſelf frequently ſtiled a Man of War,) How He took Care and gave Order, at his firſt coming to the Throne, that his Subjects might be inſtructed in the Art of War: we may be ſatisfyed, what was Their Judgment in the Caſe. And if we ſearch the Hiſtories of ſucceeding Ages, we ſhall find a mighty Cloud of Witneſſes to the preſent Truth.
BUT to look no further, than our own Land; The Magiſtracy & Miniſtry of the Country have from the Beginning acknowledged the Valuableneſs of this Order of Men. The Civil Magiſtrate, by granting Commiſſions to military Officers, and making good Laws for the Obſervation and Encouragement of frequent Trainings, Annually: And by countenancing and cheriſhing for many Years, and even to this Day, the ARTILLERY COMPANY in this Town: and the Miniſters of the Goſpel, by the many Sermons, they've Preach'd to this COMPANY, amongſt other Tokens of their Regards for good Soldiers, have amply ſignified their Judgment in this Caſe.
BESIDES (as I ſaid) the Experience of all Ages does alſo evince, that ſuch Soldiers, as theſe Zebulunites, are very uſeful for the preſervation and ſecurity of the People of God. They are uſeful to prevent miſchief. Solomon's Life-Guard of valiant Men, had every Man his Sword on his Thigh, becauſe of fear in the Night. Cant. 3. 8. Again, They're uſeful to revenge Injuries, done to the Publick: to recover Captives and Spoil, taken by the Enemy. Thus Abraham with his Soldiers bro't back his Brother Let, and his Goods, and the Women alſo and the People, Gen. 14. 16. David with his men, they recovered all, that the Amalekites had carried away: and reſcued his two Wives: there was Nothing lacking to Them—David recovered all. 1 Sam. 30. 18, 19. They're uſeful to ſuppreſs and deſtroy the Enemies of God's People. An Army with Banners is terrible to the Enemy. When all Nations compaſſed David, like Bees, He reſolves, that in the name of the Lord▪ He would deſtroy them.
Finally, WE may argue, that ſuch Soldiers, as we've heard deſcribed, are a publick Bleſſing, an uſeful and honourable Order of Men, from Their Contrary. However, this Conſideration will illuſtrate the Truth before us, as it is the nature of Contraries to do. Not only undiſciplin'd and cowardly, but diſloyal, treacherous and mutinous Soldiers are a Reproach, and Plague to their Prince and Country. Contraria juxta ſe poſita, claruis eluceſcunt.Such Soldiers are but Armed Enemies; a moſt dangerous Sort of Men, both to Church and State. They that are not for Us, are againſt Us; and the more expert in War, the more bold and daring, the more active and ſtrong, ſo much the worſe.
Too many recent Inſtances, in the Britiſh Empire, do ſadly verify this Aſſertion. O that this might never have been to be told in Gath, and publiſh'd in the ſtreets of Aſkelon!
BUT to mention no other Argument; I paſs to make two or three Reflections on the preceeding Diſcourſe. And,
Firſt, FROM what we've heard, we may infer, Whether we are, and what we muſt be and do, if we would approve our ſelves, good Soldiers of Jeſus Chriſt. Why; we muſt anſwer the Character of theſe Zebulunites; be ſuch Soldiers under Chriſt, as they were under David. If we are real Chriſtians, we are liſted under Chriſt's Banner; we're all, of whatever Age, Sex, or Quality, engag'd in a Holy War. Our Enemies are very many, politick, powerful, deceitful, malicious, and indefatigable. Our eternal Happineſs depends on our being good Soldiers, under this our Glorious Captain, or Generaliſſimo of the Saints, in this our militant State.
Now if we are, and would approve our ſelves ſuch, we muſt be his willing People, (Pſal. 110. 3.) and ſerve Him not of conſtraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.
'DIVINES ſay indeed, that in Baptiſm Chriſt gives Men Preſs-Money to ſerve Him: but He would not have them do it againſt their wills. He draws his People with the Cords of a Man, and the Bands of Love, Hos. 11. 4. He directs his Embaſſadours to compel Men to ſerve Him, by force of Argument, not by force of Arms. All Real Chriſtians offer themſelves willingly, to ſerve in His War againſt their Ghoſtly Adverſaries.
AGAIN, We muſt be cloathed with the whole Armour of God: of the ſeveral Parts of which the Apoſtle ſpeaks in the 6th of Epheſ.—We muſt put on, and keep on our whole Armour, Night and Day, during Life.
AGAIN, We muſt not be of double Heart. We muſt be faithful and charitable one to another. As we are One Body, we ſhould ſtudy to be of One Mind; to be ſure, of One Heart. If the Hearts of Chriſt's Soldiers are divided, it is very lamentable. It pleaſes the Adverſary; He has his wiſh: Divide & Impera, is an Old Maxim with Him.
THIS alſo grieves the faithful Servants of Chriſt: For the Diviſions of Reuben there were great Searchings of Heart. It weakens the whole Army; And the more conſiderable the Perſons, the more fatal. It wounds Religion; provokes God to withdraw from his People: But I forbear—. Chriſt's Soldiers ſhould live peaceably one with another; and beware of making a mutiny in the Army: They muſt ſtand for, and ſtand by one another: forgive one another, and not fight with their Fellow-Soldiers: Mat. 18. ult. 24. c. ult. They ſhould bear one another's Burdens: Gal. 6, 2. Rejoyce in each others Wealth; for by this it is, that all Men know we are Chriſt s Diſciples, His Soldiers, even by our loving one another, Joh. 13. 35.
AGAIN, We muſt be loyal and dutiful to Jeſus Chriſt. We muſt be at his Commandment, and follow Him, where-ever He calls us. We muſt heartily eſpouſe, and as far as poſſible maintain his Cauſe, and not imprudently betray it, or baſely diſown and deſert it. We muſt therefore be ſtrong and very couragious: not timorous and faint-hearted. The fearful lead the Van amongſt thoſe, that ſhall be ſent to the Bottomleſs Pit, Rev. 21. 8. We have to do with a reſtleſs Adverſary, who (as was ſaid of Marcellus, a Roman Commander,) is never quiet, Nec Victor, nec Victus, neither Conquering nor Conquered. We muſt therefore be in good Earneſt, and reſiſt him ſtedfaſtly in the Faith: and not fight, as thoſe that beat the Air. It's not eno' to 'make a flouriſh with our Weap…ns, as that Phraſe ſignifies. Slight Skirmiſhes won't ſerve the Turn; we muſt come to down-right blows; and either kill or be kill'd. And therefore,
Finally, WE had need be very ſkilful in ſpiritual Soldiery; Expert in this War. We muſt not be ignorant of the Devices, and Stratagems of Satan. We muſt know our ſelves▪ and realize the Vanity, the extreme Vanity of the World: And we muſt ſtudy to be more exact and accurate in managing our ſpiritual Weapons, in our ſpiritual Warfare.
WE muſt expect to meet with hard Things (as ſome of Us have done already! and) as Thoſe have done, who are arriv'd, where the Wicked ceaſe from troubling, and where the Weary are at reſt: But let us not faint, nor be diſmay'd; He who hath delivered us, doth deliver; and in him we truſt, that He will yet deliver us, 2 Cor. 1. 10.
IF we are real Chriſtians, we have a glorious Commander, and a good Cauſe: We've good Armour, and good Company: and if we overcome, (And we ſhall Overcome!) we ſhall then have a glorious Reward.
LET us then encourage our ſelves in the Lord our God, who hath given Leviathan to be Meat to his People inhabiting the wilderneſs. Our Enemies are already vanquiſh'd. Chriſt, our Captain, has overcome. We may therefore triumph before the Battel; and with loudeſt Shouts of Joy cry out, Thanks be to God, who giveth us the Victory; nay, who maketh us more than Conquerors thro' Jeſus Chriſt our Lord!
Secondly, HENCE 'tis evident, that it's deſirable, that ſuch Soldiers, as have been deſcribed, and the Methods and Exerciſes proper to train them up ſhould by all means be encourag'd and countenanc'd.
SINCE ſuch Soldiers are a Publick Bleſſing, the People of God ſhould be thankful for them; ſhow them due Reſpect; Give them deſerved Praiſe; and not grudge them a plentiful Reward of their difficult and hazardous Services.
HENCE alſo it follows, not only that it is praiſe-worthy in Chriſtian Legiſlators to make Laws to oblige all proper Perſons to attend Trainings and military Exerciſes; and This even in Time of Peace, that they may learn the Art of War; ſeeing Preparation for War, may be a means to prevent it, or, however, many pernicious Conſequents of it: But alſo, that it's highly reaſonable, that all in Authority, whether Migiſtratical or Military, ſhould take Care, that thoſe Laws are duly executed, and not trifl'd with and evaded; by Officers ſhifting off Trainings to the Edge of Winter, when the Days are ſhort, and often cold, and little can be done; and then indulging the private Soldiers to come unſeaſonably, and to miſpend their Time, and abuſe Themſelves in Drinking ſome inebriating Liquor; and not to break up till late at Night; turning Trainings into vile, intemperate Frolicks.
I only enquire, whether ſuch Trainings are not a ſcandalous Trifling with a Wiſe, Juſt and Good Law, and to be greatly Diſcountenanc'd? And wiſh to Heaven, that the Field-Officers in each New-Engliſh Regiment, or Thoſe that ought to inſpect that Affair, be they who they will, would always exert themſelves, to prevent Diſorders of this Kind; and add upon the whole, The good Lord pardon our Training-Day-Sins!
WHEREAS, Training-Days appointed and attended in ſeaſon, and duly improv'd for the right Ends of Training, (Scil. to make Men expert in War, and prepare them for military Service) are agreeable to the Will of God, and pleaſing to Jeſus Chriſt, and of great advantage to the Common-Wealth, tending to furniſh it with a well-diſciplin'd Militia.
Finally, LET all my Hearers of the Military Order ſuffer a Word of Exhortation: Labour, I beſeech you, to anſwer the Character of theſe Zebulunites; that has been ſet before you, as the Time would allow.
STUDY to be expert in War: To be able to keep Rank: And be not of double Heart. Let ſuch eſpecially, as are Officers or Commanders, or that may probably be ſo, ſeek that they may excel in military Accompliſhments.
To this End, Let all, whether Officers or Private Soldiers, be diligent in the uſe of Means. Conſcientiouſly attend Trainings. Uſe makes perfect, in handling Arms, and in all military Poſtures and Motions, as well as in other Things. Give your ſelves to Reading. Read frequently Hiſtories of famous Warriers. The Scripture, and other Hiſtories afford abundance of ſuch Examples. Read alſo the excellent Sermons (of which there is an abundant Supply in the Country, both ancient and modern) wherein Soldiers are counſel'd, encouraged, and taught what they ſhould be and do.
AGAIN, Be much in Prayer to God. Military Skill, and Courage, and Faithfulneſs are the good Gifts of God. The great God inſtructs the Husbandman to Diſcretion; He vouchſafes alſo to teach his Servants, whom he calls to ſuch Service, the Art of War: And there is None teacheth like Him. Now theſe good Gifts are to be obtain'd in a way of Prayer, Ask, and it ſhall be he given you: for every one, that asketh, receiveth.
ALL thoſe famous Hero's of your Order, that you have read, or heard of, or ſeen. They have received all their Skill, and Courage from GOD. David could ſay, Thou girdeſt me with ſtrength. Pſal. 18. 39. He tencheth my hands to war. 2 Sam. 22. 35.—Go then to God in the Name of Chriſt, who gives to all Men liberally, and upbraids no man; and what he ſees good, he will give unto you.
BRIEFLY, Give God the glory of all your military Attainments, and Exploits; and improve them for his Glory. Thus did David, Pſal. 144. 1, Bleſſed be the Lord my ſtrength, which teacheth my hands to war: and my fingers to fight. His is the Glory: And He is worthy to receive it; And expects that what we win by Prayer, we ſhould wear with Praiſe. This is the way to have our Gifts encreaſed, and continued with Comfort. Let not then the ſtrong Man glory in his Strength; nor the valiant Man glory in his Courage: nor the ſkilful in his Conduct: But let him, that glorieth, glory only in the Lord, who is the Glory of all His People, and particularly of the Military Order.
LO theſe Things, we have ſearched them, ſo they are; hear them, and know them for your Good, Job. 5, 27.
I ſhall now conclude with a brief Addreſs to the Ancient and Honourable Company who have called me to preach the Word at this time.
GENTLEMEN,
I eaſily believe, there is no need of diſſwading Men of your Character from the horrid Vices, by which too many of the military Order in our Days have made Themſelves Infamous. And I pleaſe my ſelf, that you need no Arguments to prevail with you to continue loyal to the wiſeſt and beſt of Kings upon Earth, our rightful and gracious Sovereign, King GEORGE: or to ſubmit to His Excellency, the GOVERNOUR, whom GOD hath ſet over us: and to love your Country, and to be ready, if call'd thereto, to ſacrifice your Lives for it's Preſervation and Proſperity.
INDEED, Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Bleſſed and the only Potentate, who has the abſolute Power of Peace and War, has for the preſent cauſed Wars to ceaſe to the Ends of the Earth. And we ſhall have great cauſe to praiſe the Name of the Lord, if there may ſtill be Truth, and Peace in our days: and to ſay, Let King GEORGE live for ever, by whoſe wiſe and powerful Influence, under GOD, we enjoy great Quietneſs.
BUT alas, What Changes are in the Right Hand of the moſt High, is beyond Humane View. This we know, that it is a ſinful, contentious World, we live in: That the Time is not come, when the Nations ſhall learn War no more: That (as a grave Divine, now with God, would ſometimes ſay,) We can't expect any long ſettled Peace; but muſt look for frequent Tumbling and Overturning, till the Man of Sin become a Son of Perdition; and His Kingdom come (The Lord haſten it!) wherein there ſhall be no Adverſary, nor evil Occurrent.
AND verily if we conſider, how Iniquity abounds, even the Iniquities foretold by the Apoſtle (2 Tim. 3. init.) to be the Sins of the laſt Times: and ſee how the Love of Many to Jeſus Chriſt, His Church, the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and to one another, waxeth cold; We may juſtly expect perillous Times, yea that a Day of Trouble is near.—Deus avertat Omen!
I do therefore beſeech you, (Brethren, and all the Sons of Mars amongſt us,) that you will attend your Military Exerciſes from time to time, not only as an ingenious, laudable, and manly Recreation; but as a Preparation for War. Were your Martial Exerciſes indeed only for Diverſion; yet conſidering the Nature of them; and how often the Chriſtian Life is in Scripture compared to a Warfare; what Occaſion they miniſter for noble and very uſeful Reflections; and eſpecially when I conſider, how often the inſpired Doctor of the Gentiles in his incomparable Epiſtles, does allude to the Grecian Games: I muſt be excus'd, if I can ſee no Reaſon to …ndemn, but rather to applaud Your Cuſtom of having a Sermon annually preach'd to you; wherein you may be minded, how you ought to govern your ſelves in reſpect of your Exerciſes, and what ſpiritual Uſe you, and others may make of them. How much more obvious is the Propriety of theſe your Anniverſary religious Solemnities, if we conſider their Original, and I ſuppoſe ſtill profeſſed Deſign of upholding them?
I beſeech you then, to remember what you have received and heard, from Year to Year, from many faithful and eminent Miniſters of the Goſpel, who thro' the Goodneſs of GOD do ſeveral of them remain unto this preſent, but I ſuppoſe the greater part are fallen aſleep.
AND I will only add, (for alas, what ſhall He ſay, that comes after ſo many Maſters of Reaſon and Divine Oratory!) Remember, that how ſtrong, and couragious, and ſkilful, and well-arm'd, how rich, and honourable, and learned, how vertuous, and uſeful, and well-beloved ſoever you are, ſtill at your beſt Eſtate you are every one of you altogether vanity. You are mortal, and muſt die like other Men. You are accountable to the Judge of all the Earth, who is no Reſpecter of Perſons, for all that is done by you on this Stage of Action. And if you are not good Chriſtians, Iſraelites indeed, as well as good Soldiers, you will be miſerable thro' eternal Ages.
SEE to it then, that you are not of Double Heart; but be faithful unto Death, and whatever you do, and particularly in your Military Exerciſes, Do all to the glory of GOD, and in the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Verily I ſay unto you Bleſſed are thoſe Soldiers, yea Bleſſed for ever, are all they, whom the Lord, when He cometh, (and He will come quickly,) ſhall find ſo doing.
AND now the Lord of Hoſts, who is the God of Peace, and Captain of our Salvation, be with you, and all His People. AMEN!
Tibi, Domine!
BOOKS Printed for, and Sold by Daniel Henchman, and Sold at his Shop.
SErmons wherein thoſe Eight Characters of the Bleſſed, Commonly called the Beatitudes, Are Opened and Applyed in Fifteen Diſcourſes. To which is added, A Sermon concerning Aſſurance of the Love of Chriſt. By Increaſe Mather, D. D.
A Treatiſe Concerning Converſion: Shewing the Nature of Saving Converſion to GOD, and the Way wherein it is wrought; Together with an Exhortation to Labour after it. To which is added a Lecture Sermon had at Boſton, July 2. 1719. Wherein the way to know Sincerity and Hypocriſy is cleared up. By Solomon Stoddard, Paſtor of Northampton.
THE Wars of the Jews. In Two Books. With the moſt Deplorable Hiſtory of the Seige and Deſtruction of the City of Jeruſalem. And the Burning of the Temple therein by the Romans, under the Command of Titus Veſpatian, the Roman Emperor, &c.
End of the text · Thomas Symmes, Good Soldiers Described and Animated (1720)